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Supporting Guidance Standard 2.6

Health and Care Standards

Supporting Guidance

Standard 2.6: Medicines Management

 

What is the Standard about?

The standard is about medicines being effectively, efficiently and safely managed for patients, service users and carers.

 

Who is it for?

All health services in all settings

In relation to the criteria below (in bold) the following key questions need to be considered

There is compliance with legislation, regulatory and professional guidance and with local guidance for all aspects of medicines management.

  • What arrangements do you have to comply with legislation, licensing and good practice guidance?
  • How do you monitor these arrangements?
  • Have you a process in place that ensures appropriate action is taken on receipt of medicine related Public Health alerts issued by Welsh Government?
  • How are you implementing and monitoring the governance arrangements for controlled drugs?
  • How do you ensure an effective IT infrastructure is in place to support medicines management?
  • What processes do you have in place to ensure the safe, efficient and cost effective prescribing of medicines?
  • What arrangements are in place to ensure all appropriate  staff are competent and understand the principles of medicine administration, recording, review and storage
  • What arrangements do you have in place for ensuring medicines are prepared in an appropriate setting?
  • How do you ensure the safe disposal of medicines?

Health professionals are qualified, registered with their respective regulatory bodies and fit for practice to prescribe, dispense and administer medicines within their professional competence and appropriate to the needs of the patient.

  • How does your service recruit the right staff with the right skills?
  • Can you identify your staff who prescribe medicine?
  • How do you know that all prescribers comply with the necessary requirements to maintain their registration?
  • What are the arrangements you have in place for the procurement, manufacture and dispensing of medicines?
  • Can you identify individuals competent to administer medicines?
  • What are the arrangements do you have in place for health care support workers in the administration, recording, review and storage of medicines?
  • What are your arrangements for business continuity and emergency situations?

There is timely, accessible and appropriate medicines advice and information for patients, carers and staff. Patients are provided with sufficient information to meet their needs regarding the purpose and correct use of their medication and alternate treatment options.  All patients have an opportunity to discuss and agree their treatment plan.

  • How do you provide timely, accessible and appropriate medicines advice and information, both written and orally?
  • How do you ensure effective communication with persons with sensory loss?
  • How do you ensure information is communicated in formats and languages that meet the patient’s needs?
  • How do you ensure you comply with Welsh language requirements?
  • What arrangements exist for inter and intra professional advice and information on medicines?

Adverse drug reactions and medicine related adverse incidents are reported and investigated where appropriate.

  • What arrangements do you have in place for reporting investigating and coding drug related adverse events, (including the MHRA “yellow card” reporting system) and admissions?
  • How do you share the learning from adverse events?

 

Legislation and Guidance

European, Welsh and UK legislation including:

Professional regulations and standards,

Relevant regulations,

Ministerial Letters,

Welsh Health Circulars,

NICE,

Patient Safety Alerts and notices https://du.nhs.wales/patient-safety-wales/

Specialist guidance e.g. MHRA Orange Book

Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme – prescribing guide for dentists

 

Good Practice Guides

All Wales Medicines Strategy Group

Governance Toolkit for Community Pharmacies

 

Useful Contacts

Professional Bodies for professionals involved with medicines management

Royal Pharmaceutical Society

General Medical Council

Nursing and Midwifery Council